Attean's Dog

This mangy, unnamed mutt is more than just a pooch—he's Attean's sidekick, and we rarely see them without each other. So right away Attean's pup reminds us about how important loyalty is in this book, particularly to Attean.

And speaking of loyalty, Attean's dog serves as a sort of barometer (that's a fancy way of saying gauge) in the book for Attean and Matt's willingness to trust and respect each other. Since Attean and Matt aren't fluent in the same language, the dog helps clue us into how their relationship is developing. Check out Matt's first impression of the mangy pup:

Sometimes Attean brought an old dog with him. It was about the sorriest-looking hound Matt had ever seen, with a coat of coarse brown hair, a mangy tail, and whitish patches on its face that gave it a clownish look. Its long pointed nose was misshapen with bumps and bristles. By the look of its ears, it had survived many battles. The instant it spied Matt, a ridge of hair went straight up on its back and it let out a mean growl. Attean cuffed it sharply, and after that it was quiet, but it watched the white stranger with wary eyes and kept its distance. (11.7)

It's early yet in Matt and Attean's relationship at this point, and in case we aren't sure whether they like each other or not, the pup makes it perfectly clear. The dog doesn't make a good first impression with Matt—it's described as "the sorriest-looking hound Matt had ever seen"—nor does it respond favorably to Matt, which it makes quite clear by growling as the hair rises on the back of its neck. And in case we thought race wasn't part of why Matt and Attean are reluctant to befriend each other, we are reminded that race is most definitely a factor because, to the dog, Matt is "the white stranger."

Over the course of the book, though, Matt and Attean come to not only trust each other, but really respect each other. And since Attean's dog is a symbol for their relationship, it makes sense that a major turning point in their friendship centers around… Attean's dog.

When Matt rescues Attean's dog from a trap, it isn't only the pup that is set loose—it's Attean and Matt's fondness for each other, too. Having impressed Attean's family—particularly his grandmother—with his willingness to save Attean's dog, Matt is welcomed into the Beaver clan's community and invited to come for a visit. As Matt prepares to make his way home, Attean's dog comes along to make sure we know that things are very different now. Attean and Matt head to the river and the dog:

[…] limped after them […], and when Matt stepped into the canoe the dog jumped in after him and settled down only a few inches from Matt's knees. He had never willingly come so close before.

Yup—it's official: Attean and Matt are BFFs. Otherwise Attean's dog wouldn't have come to sit with Matt in the canoe.

But Attean and Matt aren't just best buds for a little while. Though they have to part ways, these two have made a lasting impact on each other's lives over the course of their brief time together. And nothing makes this clearer than Attean's decision to give his dog to Matt before he heads away with the rest of the Beaver clan forever. Not convinced? In the same moment when Attean gifts his dog to Matt, he also calls him "white brother" (22.27). Aw.

Attean's dog might be a battle-worn, ugly mutt, but he sure means a lot in this book—both to Attean and as a symbol.